Shalom

28 Feb Thu	2nd Week of Lent
	Jer. 17:5-10 Ps. 1:1-4, 6 Lk. 16:19-31

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The First Reading helps towards understanding the Gospel. Jeremiah reminds us that we should place our trust in the Lord for all things: the Lord will provide. The Psalm reinforces this idea: 'Happy are they who hope in the Lord', for those who follow God's law will prosper whilst the wicked will not. This leads on to three thoughts contained in the Gospel. Firstly, Lazarus suffered greatly: his body was covered with horrible sores, he did not have enough food and his shelter was the footpath. However, when he died he was taken straight to heaven. Despite many opportunities, the rich man did nothing to relieve Lazarus' sufferings. So, when he died he went to Hades. For all eternity, Lazarus will be completely happy whilst the rich man will be in agony. The separation between them is fixed, and the rich man can do noting to rectify the situation. In addition, Abraham refuses to listen to the rich man's request to send Lazarus to help his brothers. If they didn't listen to Moses and the other prophets, they would hardly listen to someone else coming back from the dead. This possibly foreshadows Jesus' resurrection from the dead and the fact that human beings in their ignorance will take no notice of God's Word.

Lord, help us to keep Your Word with generous hearts.

DAILY OFFERING

Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH

INTENTION
That Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H

INTENTION :	That Catholic hospitals may be outstanding examples in the struggle against suffering and may play a leading role in proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for the human person.
Suffering in any form has a supernatural value. It becomes an efficacious moment for our own and other people's sanctification. This has been the teaching of the Church throughout history bearing in mind the grace of Redemption obtained for us by the Lord on the Cross in Calvary. The Lord's missionary mandate to preach the gospel includes the dual concept "evangelisation and care for the sick". Convinced of this missionary goal and called on to be visible signs of the mercy and charity of Jesus, Catholic Hospitals are urged to give special evangelical witness by loving works and actions, the Church's solicitude for those who suffer. Hence, Catholic Hospitals are to promote initiatives and actions in favour of life and that the entire hospital health care system be imbued with the culture of enhancing life through generous love and dedicated service. An essential characteristic of Catholic Hospitals is that its treatment of physical suffering must reflect the mark of the Holy Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, understanding of others, fidelity, gentleness and self-control" (Gal 5:22).
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